Culture, connections key to Vietnamese national team's success, says manager Kim Sang-sik

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Vietnamese national team manager Kim Sang-sik believes connection off the field was key to his team's success on it. 

Kim, who led Vietnam’s U-23 squad to the AFF U-23 Championship title last month, said thoughtful gifts and cultural warmth helped him win the trust of his players. 

“Vietnamese players like Korean ginseng, so I brought it from Korea and gave it to them — along with sunscreen and cosmetics,” Kim said during a video news conference on Tuesday. “I think the players responded well to my intention to approach them with warmth and familiarity.” 

Kim made it a point to connect through daily interactions. 

“I made an effort in many aspects of daily life. I joked around in the treatment room and even played around by imitating [former Vietnam manager] Park Hang‑seo. In Korea, we call emotional warmth ' jeong,’ and in Vietnam, they say ‘ tinh.’ I think the similarities between Korean and Vietnamese culture helped us open up and connect.”

Since taking over both the senior and U-23 national teams in May 2024, Kim has enjoyed a strong start. He won the Mitsubishi Cup with the senior team in January and added the AFF U-23 Championship last month — a feat not even former manager Park Hang-seo accomplished in a single year. 

Park, who managed Vietnam from 2017 to 2023, is credited with transforming Vietnamese football. Under his leadership, the U-23 team won two South Asian Games, and the national team’s FIFA ranking rose from around 130 to the low 90s.

“Park is a hero of Vietnamese football,” Kim said. “But I didn’t try to follow in his footsteps. I just thought, ‘I shouldn’t ruin what he built.’”

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

BY PARK RIN [[email protected]]